After the 2 lesser 95s BRW and I had last Thurs I spied this in the cellar as I was putting up some stuff last nite and said "What the Hey! I been good as gold for meeny months so take this sucker and drink it tonite". Threw a lovely french torte from Trader Joes with ham, cheese, and spices in the oven and opened this lovely Premier Grand Cru from St.-Emilion. Dark ruby. No bricking. Nose of rich, ripe black fruits, tobacco leaf, spice, and vanilla that come over on the palate. This blend of 53% merlot, 40% cab franc, 4.7% cab, and 2.3% malbec has produced many memorable wines and IMHO is consistantly one of the top 4-5 wines produced in St-Emilion each vintage yet the price is half or less than the other top producers. Go Figure! Solid powerful entry, weighty center and a 4&1/2 lapper finish. Still with an abundance of tannins, this hummer will improve for another 7-15 years without blinking. 93/96 28 on futures. 12.5% alc. WW

Had this for lunch today. The nose has expanded to Albuquerque and the taste is hitting Denver. Solid citizen that gives a ton of pleasure after an hour. Don't know if I'll live long enough for this sucker to fully develop but as good as it be who gives a rats'-patootie? Definately a classic bottle. WW

Opened another yesserday fer lunch-time. Nose developing beautifully giving up an abundance of red fruits, spices, some spice and saddle leather. Finish seems to have also fleshed out slightly. Still some gorgus silky tannins that need another 5-12 years but are soft enough that they are non-intrusive. No change in scoring. WW